Plerisque, sc. of the inferior officers. They thought it best that those parts of the country, whose fidelity was questionable (suspecta) should be secured by garrisons (custodiri). Potius is an adj. and goes with videbatur==it seemed preferable.
Legionum vexillis. Some understand this of veteran soldiers who had served out their time (twenty years), but were still sub vexillis (not dismissed). So R. and W. Others of parts of the legions detached for a season sub vexillis (under separate standards). So Gronovius. The word seems to be used in both senses. See note, H. 1, 31.
In aequum. Into the plain. Aequus, prim. level, hence aequor, sea.
Erexit aciem. Led his troops up the steep. So His. 3, 71: erigunt aciem per adversum collem.
Ac—ceteris. And that according as the first enterprises went (cf. note, 5: cessit), would be the terror in the rest_ of his engagements. Cf. H. 2, 20: gnarus, ut initia belli provenissent, famam in cetera fore. Al. fore universa.
Possessione. Taking possession, cf. 14. A possidere, i.e. occupare, non a possidere, quod est occupatum tenere. Rit. For the abl. without a, cf. H. 2, 79: Syria remeans.
Ut in dubiis consiliis, sc. fieri solet. Generals are not apt to be prepared beforehand for enterprises, not contemplated at all in their original plans.
Qui—expectabant. Who were looking out for (ex and specto) a fleet, for ships, in a word for the sea, i.e. naval preparations in general, instead of an attack by land. The language is highly rhetorical.— Crediderint. Livy, Nepos and Tacitus use the perf. subj. after ut, denoting a consequence, when a single, specific past act is expressed; when a repeated or continued action, the imp. subj. Most writers use the imp. in both cases. See H. 482, 2, and 480; Z. 516; also Z. 504, Note, and note H. 1, 24: dederit.
Officiorum ambitum. "Compliments of office." Ky.
Placuisset. Subj. cf. note, 11: ut quos.